System and method for establishing a voice over ip session

ABSTRACT

A method, computer program product, and computer system for establishing a Voice over IP (VoIP) session. One or more computing devices initiate the VoIP session between a plurality of devices. A first communication channel is established as an active channel for a first computing device of the plurality of devices, where the active channel is fully enabled for use by the first computing device. A second communication channel is established as a passive channel for the first computing device while maintaining the active channel, where the passive channel is at least partially enabled for use by the first computing device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to communication systems and methods and, moreparticularly, to Voice over IP systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

Voice over IP (VoIP) generally involves the delivery of both data andvoice communications over internet protocol (IP) networks, such as theinternet. Many people use VoIP to replace their traditional telephoneservice which typically uses, e.g., circuit-switched public telephonenetworks. One disadvantage of using VoIP, however, is that communicationon the IP networks does not guarantee the same reliability of thetraditional circuit-switched public telephone networks. For example,VoIP may not typically ensure delivery of data packets or ensure thedata packets are delivered in the correct order (i.e., sequentially). Asa result, VoIP calls, for example, may suffer from less than optimalaudio signal quality. Decreased signal quality can be cumbersome andfrustrating for the end users, where the ability to understand theconversation is overly limited.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In one implementation, a method for establishing a Voice over IP (VoIP)session, performed by one or more computing devices, comprisesinitiating, by the one or more computing devices, the VoIP session. Afirst communication channel is established as an active channel for afirst computing device of the one or more computing devices, where theactive channel is fully enabled for use by the first computing device. Asecond communication channel is established as a passive channel for thefirst computing device while maintaining the active channel, where thepassive channel is at least partially enabled for use by the firstcomputing device.

One or more of the following features may be included. At leastpartially enabling the passive channel for use by the first computingdevice may include partially priming the passive channel. The passivechannel may be persistent.

The active channel may be monitored to detect signal quality during theVoIP session. It may be determined that a signal quality threshold levelof the active channel is reached. In response to determining that thesignal quality threshold level is reached, a failover process may beimplemented to establish the passive channel as a new active channel foruse by the first computing device. The failover process may be at leastone of automatically implemented and manually implemented.

Implementing the failover process may include fully enabling use of thepassive channel as the new active channel. Implementing the failoverprocess may further include establishing the fully enabled passivechannel as the new active channel for use by the first computing device.The active channel may be terminated. A third passive channel may beestablished that is at least partially enabled for use by the firstcomputing device.

In another implementation, a computer program product resides on acomputer readable medium that has a plurality of instructions stored onit. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processorto perform operations comprising initiating, by one or more computingdevices, a Voice over IP (VoIP) session. A first communication channelis established as an active channel for a first computing device of theone or more computing devices, where the active channel is fully enabledfor use by the first computing device. A second communication channel isestablished as a passive channel for the first computing device whilemaintaining the active channel, where the passive channel is at leastpartially enabled for use by the first computing device.

One or more of the following features may be included. At leastpartially enabling the passive channel for use by the first computingdevice may include partially priming the passive channel. The passivechannel may be persistent.

The active channel may be monitored to detect signal quality during theVoIP session. It may be determined that a signal quality threshold levelof the active channel is reached. In response to determining that thesignal quality threshold level is reached, a failover process may beimplemented to establish the passive channel as a new active channel foruse by the first computing device. The failover process may be at leastone of automatically implemented and manually implemented.

Implementing the failover process may include fully enabling use of thepassive channel as the new active channel. Implementing the failoverprocess may further include establishing the fully enabled passivechannel as the new active channel for use by the first computing device.The active channel may be terminated. A third passive channel may beestablished that is at least partially enabled for use by the firstcomputing device.

In another implementation, a computing system includes a processor andmemory configured to perform operations comprising initiating, by one ormore computing devices, a Voice over IP (VoIP) session. A firstcommunication channel is established as an active channel for a firstcomputing device of the one or more computing devices, where the activechannel is fully enabled for use by the first computing device. A secondcommunication channel is established as a passive channel for the firstcomputing device while maintaining the active channel, where the passivechannel is at least partially enabled for use by the first computingdevice.

One or more of the following features may be included. At leastpartially enabling the passive channel for use by the first computingdevice may include partially priming the passive channel. The passivechannel may be persistent.

The active channel may be monitored to detect signal quality during theVoIP session. It may be determined that a signal quality threshold levelof the active channel is reached. In response to determining that thesignal quality threshold level is reached, a failover process may beimplemented to establish the passive channel as a new active channel foruse by the first computing device. The failover process may be at leastone of automatically implemented and manually implemented.

Implementing the failover process may include fully enabling use of thepassive channel as the new active channel. Implementing the failoverprocess may further include establishing the fully enabled passivechannel as the new active channel for use by the first computing device.The active channel may be terminated. A third passive channel may beestablished that is at least partially enabled for use by the firstcomputing device.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagrammatic view of a VoIP establishmentprocess coupled to a distributed computing network;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative flowchart of the VoIP establishment process ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagrammatic view of a screen image displayedby the VoIP establishment process of FIG. 1.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

System Overview:

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present disclosuremay be embodied as a method, system, or computer program product.Accordingly, the present disclosure may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program producton a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program codeembodied in the medium.

Any suitable computer usable or computer readable medium may beutilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, forexample but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device,or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) ofthe computer-readable medium would include the following: an electricalconnection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, ahard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), anoptical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), anoptical storage device, a transmission media such as those supportingthe Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device. Note that thecomputer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper oranother suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as theprogram can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usableor computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with thecomputer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband oras part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited tothe Internet, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentdisclosure may be written in an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer programcode for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may also bewritten in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the“C” programming language or similar programming languages. The programcode may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

The present disclosure is described below with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks or combinations thereof.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks or combinations thereof.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed (not necessarily in a particularorder) on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce acomputer implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps forimplementing the functions/acts (not necessarily in a particular order)specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks orcombinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown VoIP establishment process 10 thatmay reside on and may be executed by computer 12, which may be connectedto network 14 (e.g., the Internet or a local area network). Examples ofcomputer 12 may include but are not limited to a single server computer,a series of server computers, a single personal computer, a series ofpersonal computers, a mini computer, a tablet computer, a mainframecomputer, or a computing cloud. The various components of computer 12may execute one or more operating systems, examples of which may includebut are not limited to: Microsoft Windows Server™; Novell Netware™;Redhat Linux™, Unix, or a custom operating system, for example.

As will be discussed below in greater detail, VoIP establishment process10 may comprise initiating, by one or more computing devices, a Voiceover IP (VoIP). A first communication channel is established as anactive channel for a first computing device of the one or more computingdevices, where the active channel is fully enabled for use by the firstcomputing device. A second communication channel is established as apassive channel for the first computing device while maintaining theactive channel, where the passive channel is at least partially enabledfor use by the first computing device.

The instruction sets and subroutines of VoIP establishment process 10,which may be stored on storage device 16 coupled to computer 12, may beexecuted by one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memoryarchitectures (not shown) included within computer 12. Storage device 16may include but is not limited to: a hard disk drive; a flash drive, atape drive; an optical drive; a RAID array; a random access memory(RAM); and a read-only memory (ROM).

Network 14 may be connected to one or more secondary networks (e.g.,network 18), examples of which may include but are not limited to: alocal area network; a wide area network; or an intranet, for example.

VoIP establishment process 10 may be accessed via client applications22, 24, 26, 28. Examples of client applications 22, 24, 26, 28 mayinclude but are not limited to a standard web browser, email clientapplication, a customized web browser, instant messaging client,softphone client, unified messaging client, or a custom application. Theinstruction sets and subroutines of client applications 22, 24, 26, 28,which may be stored on storage devices 30, 32, 34, 36 (respectively)coupled to client electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44 (respectively), maybe executed by one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memoryarchitectures (not shown) incorporated into client electronic devices38, 40, 42, 44 (respectively).

Storage devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may include but are not limited to: harddisk drives; flash drives, tape drives; optical drives; RAID arrays;random access memories (RAM); and read-only memories (ROM). Examples ofclient electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44 may include, but are notlimited to, personal computer 38, laptop computer 40, smart phone 42,notebook computer 44, a tablet (not shown), a server (not shown), adata-enabled, cellular telephone (not shown), and a dedicated networkdevice (not shown).

One or more of client applications 22, 24, 26, 28 may be configured toeffectuate some or all of the functionality of VoIP establishmentprocess 10. Accordingly, VoIP establishment process 10 may be a purelyserver-side application, a purely client-side application, or a hybridserver-side/client-side application that is cooperatively executed byone or more of client applications 22, 24, 26, 28 and VoIP establishmentprocess 10.

Users 46, 48, 50, 52 may access computer 12 and VoIP establishmentprocess 10 directly through network 14 or through secondary network 18.Further, computer 12 may be connected to network 14 through secondarynetwork 18, as illustrated with phantom link line 54.

The various client electronic devices may be directly or indirectlycoupled to network 14 (or network 18). For example, personal computer 38is shown directly coupled to network 14 via a hardwired networkconnection. Further, notebook computer 44 is shown directly coupled tonetwork 18 via a hardwired network connection. Laptop computer 40 isshown wirelessly coupled to network 14 via wireless communicationchannel 56 established between laptop computer 40 and wireless accesspoint (i.e., WAP) 58, which is shown directly coupled to network 14. WAP58 may be, for example, an IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi, and/orBluetooth™ device that is capable of establishing wireless communicationchannel 56 between laptop computer 40 and WAP 58. Smart phone 42 isshown wirelessly coupled to network 14 via wireless communicationchannel 60 established between smart phone 42 and cellularnetwork/bridge 62, which is shown directly coupled to network 14.

As is known in the art, all of the IEEE 802.11x specifications may useEthernet protocol and carrier sense multiple access with collisionavoidance (i.e., CSMA/CA) for path sharing. The various 802.11xspecifications may use phase-shift keying (i.e., PSK) modulation orcomplementary code keying (i.e., CCK) modulation, for example. As isknown in the art, Bluetooth is a telecommunications industryspecification that allows, e.g., mobile phones, computers, and smartphones to be interconnected using a short-range wireless connection.

Client electronic devices 38, 40, 42, 44 may each execute an operatingsystem, examples of which may include but are not limited to Apple iOS™,Microsoft Windows™, Android™, Redhat Linux™, or a custom operatingsystem.

The VoIP Establishment Process:

As discussed above and referring also to FIGS. 2-3, VoIP establishmentprocess 10 may initiate 200, by one or more computing devices, a Voiceover IP (VoIP) session. A first communication channel may be established202 as an active channel 302 for a first computing device 300 of the oneor more computing devices, where the active channel 302 may be fullyenabled for use by the first computing device 300. A secondcommunication channel may be established 204 as a passive channel 304for the first computing device 300 while maintaining the active channel302, where the passive channel 304 may be at least partially enabled foruse by the first computing device 300.

VoIP establishment process 10 may initiate 200 the VoIP session (e.g.,an online meeting, unified telephony Session Initiated Protocol (SIP)based communication, etc.), using standard techniques known to thoseskilled in the art. Illustratively, the one or more computing devicesmay include, for example, computer 12, one or more client electronicdevices 38, 40, 42, 44, broadband modem (not shown), phone adapter (notshown), router (not shown), or other computing device that may beinvolved in establishing the VoIP session.

According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, two channels foreach user on a, e.g., unified telephony call session, may beestablished. For example, a first communication channel may beestablished 202 as an active channel 302 for a first computing device300 of the one or more computing devices. Active channel 302 may beconsidered the conventional channel each user may occupy during theactual session. Thus, active channel 302 may be considered fully enabled(i.e., fully primed for immediate use) by the first computing device300. That is, as is known to those skilled in the art, multiple steps(e.g., jump start logic, authentication, negotiation, informationgathering, etc.) are generally required to admit a user into the VoIPsession conversation, e.g., on a particular channel. Each of these stepsmay take time. Illustratively, when all steps have been completed thechannel may be considered active. Therefore, active channel 302 may beconsidered as having performed all necessary steps (in no particularorder) and be in use for the VoIP session (e.g., capable ofcommunicating data of the VoIP session).

According to one or more illustrative embodiments, a secondcommunication channel may be established 204 as a passive channel 304for the first computing device 300. Illustratively, passive channel 304may be established 204 at the start (i.e., initiation 200) of the VoIPsession. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that passivechannel 304 may be established 204 any time after the start of the VoIPsession. According to one or more illustrative embodiments, passivechannel 304 is established before it is determined 212 that a signalquality threshold level is reached (discussed further below). Notably,passive channel 304 is also established 204 while active channel 302 isbeing maintained. That is, both active channel 302 and passive channel304 are at some point simultaneously maintained. Illustratively, passivechannel 304 may be persistently established 208 with active channel 302.

According to the illustrative embodiment, passive channel 304 may be atleast partially enabled for use by the first computing device 300.Partially enabling passive channel 304 for use by the first computingdevice 300 may include partially priming 206 the passive channel. Forexample, passive channel 304 may have completed one or more of the stepsrequired to admit a user into the VoIP session conversation, such asobtaining information needed to route audio to a server and establish aconnection, but also may have not completed one or more of the steps.Thus, passive channel 304 may be considered a separate standby channel,which in contrast with active channel 302, has completed less than allthe steps (and/or information gathering) required to admit the user intothe VoIP session conversation. Passive channel 304 may remain onstandby, e.g., not capable of communicating data of the VoIP session,until needed, as discussed in greater detail below. Illustratively, eachchannel (e.g., active channel 302 and passive channel 304 pair) may be adedicated private line point to point connection path to each user andmay be unique to each user.

According to one illustrative embodiment, passive channel 304 may havecompleted all necessary steps except for the actual admission of theuser into the VoIP session conversation. Alternatively, passive channel304 may have completed only a portion of the necessary steps required toadmit the user into the VoIP session conversation. However, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that any number of steps or portionsthereof may be completed and/or incomplete. As such, the description ofany particular number of steps being completed and/or incomplete bypassive channel 304 should be taken as an example only and not tootherwise limit the scope of the disclosure.

According to one or more alternative embodiments, at least a thirdpassive channel may be established 222 that is at least partiallyenabled for use by the first computing device 300. Each partiallyenabled passive channel may have completed differing levels ofenablement. For example, if there are two passive channels beingconcurrently maintained with active channel 202, one of the two passivechannels may have only completed two steps required to admit the userinto the VoIP session conversation, whereas the other passive channelmay have completed three or more steps required to admit the user intothe VoIP session conversation.

According to one or more embodiments, active channel 302 may bemonitored 210 to detect signal quality during the VoIP session. Signalquality may be affected by, e.g., noise, which may include, e.g., echo,background noise, impedance, attenuation, interference, stochasticnoise, consistent noise, high pitch, low pitch, crackling, and otherforms of nose. Illustratively, active channel 302 may be monitored 210on the server; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatmonitoring 210 (and/or other portions of VoIP establishment process 10)may be executed on the client side, an intermediary device, or acombination thereof.

It may be determined 212 that a signal quality threshold level (e.g.,noise level) of active channel 202 is reached, e.g., during the VoIPsession. The signal quality threshold level may be a preset level and/ormay be changeably defined by, e.g., an end user, administrator, rules,or the like. Advantageously, this may allow for varying signal qualitythreshold levels on a per user and/or per communication basis. Forexample, one user on the VoIP session may have a lower signal qualitythreshold level, whereas another user on the same VoIP session may havea higher signal quality threshold level.

In response to determining that the signal quality threshold level isreached, a failover process may be implemented 214 to establish second(i.e., passive) channel 204 as a new active channel 302 a for use by thefirst computing device 300. According to one or more illustrativeembodiments, implementing 214 the failover process may include fullyenabling 216 use of passive channel 204 as the new active channel 302 a.For instance, this may include completing the additional remaining stepsfor passive channel 204 required to admit the user into the VoIP sessionconversation, e.g., on the new active channel 302 a. Implementing 214the failover process may further include establishing 218 the fullyenabled passive channel as the new active channel 302 a for use by thefirst computing device 300.

As noted above, each step toward full enablement to admit the user intothe VoIP session conversation may take time. Advantageously, as passivechannel 204 may have already been pre-established (i.e., completed oneor more of the required steps) prior to having determined 212 that thesignal quality threshold level (e.g., noise level) of active channel 202is reached, transitioning passive channel 204 to the new active channel302 a may be accomplished rapidly in the act of the failover process inreal time, without interruption, and transparently to the user.Illustratively, another passive channel may then be established shouldit be determined that the signal quality threshold level is reached forthe new active channel 302 a.

According to one or more illustrative embodiments, the failover processmay be automatically implemented 220 (e.g., on a server side, clientside, intermediate device side, hybrid side embodiment, or combinationthereof), and/or manually implemented by, e.g., end user(s),moderator(s), administrator(s), etc. The previous active channel (i.e.,active channel 202) may, but need not be terminated 224 (e.g.,dismissed), e.g., after establishing 218 the fully enabled passivechannel as the new active channel 302 a for use by the first computingdevice 300.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock(s) may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps (not necessarily in aparticular order), operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps (not necessarily in a particular order), operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications,variations, and combinations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application,and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand thedisclosure for various embodiments with various modifications and/orcombinations of embodiments as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

Having thus described the disclosure of the present application indetail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications, variations, and combinations are possible withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: initiating, by one or morecomputing devices, a Voice over IP (VoIP) session; establishing, by theone or more computing devices, a first communication channel as anactive channel for a first computing device of the one or more computingdevices, wherein the active channel is fully enabled for use by thefirst computing device; and establishing, by the one or more computingdevices, a second communication channel as a passive channel for thefirst computing device while maintaining the active channel, wherein thepassive channel is at least partially enabled for use by the firstcomputing device.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 whereinat least partially enabling the passive channel for use by the firstcomputing device includes partially priming the passive channel.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the passive channel ispersistent.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 furthercomprising: monitoring the active channel to detect signal qualityduring the VoIP session; determining that a signal quality thresholdlevel of the active channel is reached; and in response to determiningthat the signal quality threshold level is reached, implementing afailover process to establish the passive channel as a new activechannel for use by the first computing device.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein implementing the failoverprocess includes fully enabling use of the passive channel as the newactive channel.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 whereinimplementing the failover process further includes establishing thefully enabled passive channel as the new active channel for use by thefirst computing device.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 4wherein the failover process is at least one of automaticallyimplemented and manually implemented.
 8. The computer-implemented methodof claim 4 further comprising establishing a third communication channelas a new passive channel that is at least partially enabled for use bythe first computing device.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim4 further comprising terminating the active channel. 10-25. (canceled)